Welcome to the Coffee Chat!
Can you believe we had snow this week? A lot of snow, and it isn't even Halloween! Sigh. I guess that means no more chats on the deck for 2020. Sooo, I have the fireplace lit! Draw your chairs up close to the fire, grab your hot drinks, and meet author McKenna Dean, who is joining us today for book talk.
Nice to have you here, McKenna! What may I get you to drink?
MD: In all fairness, I was never a big coffee drinker (more of a cold Pepsi girl) but then a few years back, I developed a caffeine sensitivity and I had to give up caffeine altogether. I even have to be careful how much chocolate I have! *weeps* So these days, I usually have herbal tea.
Ally: Sounds like a good choice. While I fill our mugs, please tell readers about your background.
Can you believe we had snow this week? A lot of snow, and it isn't even Halloween! Sigh. I guess that means no more chats on the deck for 2020. Sooo, I have the fireplace lit! Draw your chairs up close to the fire, grab your hot drinks, and meet author McKenna Dean, who is joining us today for book talk.
Nice to have you here, McKenna! What may I get you to drink?
MD: In all fairness, I was never a big coffee drinker (more of a cold Pepsi girl) but then a few years back, I developed a caffeine sensitivity and I had to give up caffeine altogether. I even have to be careful how much chocolate I have! *weeps* So these days, I usually have herbal tea.
Ally: Sounds like a good choice. While I fill our mugs, please tell readers about your background.
Bio:
McKenna Dean has been an actress, a vet tech, a singer, a teacher, a biologist, and a dog trainer. She’s worked in a genetics lab, at the stockyard, behind the scenes as a props manager, and at a pizza parlor slinging dough. Finally she realized all these jobs were just a preparation for what she really wanted to be: a writer.
She lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her family, as well as the assorted dogs, cats, and various livestock.
She likes putting her characters in hot water to see how strong they are. Like tea bags, only sexier.
Ally: Tell us something not in your regular bio: “I’ve worked a lot of odd jobs in my life, including a short stint at a zoo. I had to hold a boa constrictor so my boss could administer a worming medication.” (Ally comment: Who knew that snakes got worms?!)
Author Contact Links:
Newsletter: https://motivated-teacher-3619.ck.page/8ce3b5d956
Website: http://mckennadeanromance.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B075CRHQ7B/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/McKenna-Dean-Author-262328784224302/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/McKennaDeanFic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckennadeanromance/?hl=en
Tumblr: https://mckennadeanromance.tumblr.com/
Email: mckennadeanromance@gmail.com
McKenna Dean has been an actress, a vet tech, a singer, a teacher, a biologist, and a dog trainer. She’s worked in a genetics lab, at the stockyard, behind the scenes as a props manager, and at a pizza parlor slinging dough. Finally she realized all these jobs were just a preparation for what she really wanted to be: a writer.
She lives on a small farm in North Carolina with her family, as well as the assorted dogs, cats, and various livestock.
She likes putting her characters in hot water to see how strong they are. Like tea bags, only sexier.
Ally: Tell us something not in your regular bio: “I’ve worked a lot of odd jobs in my life, including a short stint at a zoo. I had to hold a boa constrictor so my boss could administer a worming medication.” (Ally comment: Who knew that snakes got worms?!)
Author Contact Links:
Newsletter: https://motivated-teacher-3619.ck.page/8ce3b5d956
Website: http://mckennadeanromance.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B075CRHQ7B/
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/McKenna-Dean-Author-262328784224302/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/McKennaDeanFic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckennadeanromance/?hl=en
Tumblr: https://mckennadeanromance.tumblr.com/
Email: mckennadeanromance@gmail.com
INTERVIEW:
Ally: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
MD: I’ve always been a storyteller. Even as a child, I wrote and illustrated my own stories. I think it was a natural progression of growing up in a reading household. We used to go to the library every couple of weeks and check out over 60 books at a time. Eventually the library began setting limits on how many books we could check out on a single visit! Reading was my favorite way of passing time. I was sick a lot as a child, and so I often made up adventures in which my dog and I battled trolls, explored strange vistas, and discovered amazing treasures.
As a teenager, I wrote fanfiction for a small group of friends, but I didn’t have any idea that’s what it was called. I just knew I wanted to spend more time with my favorite characters, so I spun stories about them.
I gave up the idea of becoming a writer as an unsustainable dream when I went to college and put aside my writing as one might put aside a treasured doll—something that was relegated to childhood. It wasn’t until much later that I discovered online fanfiction archives and I began dabbling with writing again. After a favorite show went off the air, I struggled to find a fandom that engaged me, and the encouragement of friends got me thinking about original fiction again.
On a whim, I submitted a story to a small publisher and was gobsmacked when they accepted it! I continued publishing with them until they went out of business. Faced with the choice of trying to find another publisher or going indie, I decided to self-publish. Mostly because my day job is demanding and indie publishing allows me to set my own schedule without being tied into deadlines, but also because I’m not sure my stories fit into one clear mold. A recent critique of Bishop Takes Knight (Redclaw Origins 1) by the 2020 BookLife Prize team said “the number of genres—mystery, romance, and paranormal—mix to create a truly distinct narrative.” I just can’t resist tossing in the things I enjoy!
Ally: Do you know the book’s ending before you start writing? How specific is it? Does it ever change?
MD: I usually have a rough idea where I’m heading, but the characters often surprise me. In this most recent book, Bishop’s Gambit, I had planned for the main character to make a very specific choice—and then she made the EXACT OPPOSITE DECISION. I was floored! My crit group loved it, and all the beta readers said they didn’t see it coming. WELL, NEITHER DID I! I had to pretend I meant to do it all along! AND figure out how to incorporate this decision into the next installment in the series!
Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you can pass on to other writers?
MD: I wrote a blog post on this subject not all that long ago: Rookie Author Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. The most important takeaway from that post is probably about reviews: The longer I’ve been at this, the less impact reviews have on me. Don’t get me wrong—I adore an awesome review! And excellent reviews—especially in large numbers—will definitely drive sales. But I no longer let bad reviews upset me.
Look at it this way: those really nasty reviews? The ones that go beyond ‘this is why this book didn’t work for me’ and seem to intend deliberate wounding?
Yeah, there are only two reasons someone writes a review like that. The first is because they have a following, and people read their reviews for the flaming zingers. You can’t take something like that personally. It’s not about your book as much as it is about entertaining a cadre of like-minded readers who enjoy the burn.
The second is because this unknown reader really does want to burn you. They want you to hurt so badly over their comments that you seriously consider never typing another word. You know what? SCREW THAT. They don’t get to decide that.
Don’t write for reviews. It will only make you bitterly unhappy. Ditto if you’re hoping that your next story will somehow launch you into Nora Roberts fame. Write because you can’t imagine not writing any more than you can imagine not breathing.
Ally: What is your favorite social media? Why?
MD: Probably Instagram. I love taking photographs (even though my world is pretty narrow right now due to the pandemic). I participate in various groups on Facebook, but otherwise I wouldn’t have a strong motivation to go to that platform. On Twitter, I’m much angrier than I am anywhere else—fair warning! But Instagram is my happy place. I can scroll through my feed and smile at the pictures of cats or goats or funny memes.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
MD: I’m currently working on a short story set in the Redclaw Universe for a holiday anthology. Then I’m diving into the next installment of Redclaw Origins: Bishop’s Endgame. Sadly, I’m a slow writer. I tend to release a novel once a year, usually in the fall. I’m hoping to get more writing done this winter, however. We’ll see!
Ally: Which of the lightning round questions did you pick?
MD:
Ally: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
MD: I’ve always been a storyteller. Even as a child, I wrote and illustrated my own stories. I think it was a natural progression of growing up in a reading household. We used to go to the library every couple of weeks and check out over 60 books at a time. Eventually the library began setting limits on how many books we could check out on a single visit! Reading was my favorite way of passing time. I was sick a lot as a child, and so I often made up adventures in which my dog and I battled trolls, explored strange vistas, and discovered amazing treasures.
As a teenager, I wrote fanfiction for a small group of friends, but I didn’t have any idea that’s what it was called. I just knew I wanted to spend more time with my favorite characters, so I spun stories about them.
I gave up the idea of becoming a writer as an unsustainable dream when I went to college and put aside my writing as one might put aside a treasured doll—something that was relegated to childhood. It wasn’t until much later that I discovered online fanfiction archives and I began dabbling with writing again. After a favorite show went off the air, I struggled to find a fandom that engaged me, and the encouragement of friends got me thinking about original fiction again.
On a whim, I submitted a story to a small publisher and was gobsmacked when they accepted it! I continued publishing with them until they went out of business. Faced with the choice of trying to find another publisher or going indie, I decided to self-publish. Mostly because my day job is demanding and indie publishing allows me to set my own schedule without being tied into deadlines, but also because I’m not sure my stories fit into one clear mold. A recent critique of Bishop Takes Knight (Redclaw Origins 1) by the 2020 BookLife Prize team said “the number of genres—mystery, romance, and paranormal—mix to create a truly distinct narrative.” I just can’t resist tossing in the things I enjoy!
Ally: Do you know the book’s ending before you start writing? How specific is it? Does it ever change?
MD: I usually have a rough idea where I’m heading, but the characters often surprise me. In this most recent book, Bishop’s Gambit, I had planned for the main character to make a very specific choice—and then she made the EXACT OPPOSITE DECISION. I was floored! My crit group loved it, and all the beta readers said they didn’t see it coming. WELL, NEITHER DID I! I had to pretend I meant to do it all along! AND figure out how to incorporate this decision into the next installment in the series!
Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you can pass on to other writers?
MD: I wrote a blog post on this subject not all that long ago: Rookie Author Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. The most important takeaway from that post is probably about reviews: The longer I’ve been at this, the less impact reviews have on me. Don’t get me wrong—I adore an awesome review! And excellent reviews—especially in large numbers—will definitely drive sales. But I no longer let bad reviews upset me.
Look at it this way: those really nasty reviews? The ones that go beyond ‘this is why this book didn’t work for me’ and seem to intend deliberate wounding?
Yeah, there are only two reasons someone writes a review like that. The first is because they have a following, and people read their reviews for the flaming zingers. You can’t take something like that personally. It’s not about your book as much as it is about entertaining a cadre of like-minded readers who enjoy the burn.
The second is because this unknown reader really does want to burn you. They want you to hurt so badly over their comments that you seriously consider never typing another word. You know what? SCREW THAT. They don’t get to decide that.
Don’t write for reviews. It will only make you bitterly unhappy. Ditto if you’re hoping that your next story will somehow launch you into Nora Roberts fame. Write because you can’t imagine not writing any more than you can imagine not breathing.
Ally: What is your favorite social media? Why?
MD: Probably Instagram. I love taking photographs (even though my world is pretty narrow right now due to the pandemic). I participate in various groups on Facebook, but otherwise I wouldn’t have a strong motivation to go to that platform. On Twitter, I’m much angrier than I am anywhere else—fair warning! But Instagram is my happy place. I can scroll through my feed and smile at the pictures of cats or goats or funny memes.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
MD: I’m currently working on a short story set in the Redclaw Universe for a holiday anthology. Then I’m diving into the next installment of Redclaw Origins: Bishop’s Endgame. Sadly, I’m a slow writer. I tend to release a novel once a year, usually in the fall. I’m hoping to get more writing done this winter, however. We’ll see!
Ally: Which of the lightning round questions did you pick?
MD:
- most watched tv show: I have a tendency not to re-watch programs as a rule but a friend video-taped Babylon 5 for me when I didn’t have access to cable TV, and I watched the whole series over and over again.
- color of nail polish you have on: Clear right now, but I ADORE nail polish, so I have all kinds of fancy shades. I have thermal polish that changes color depending on the temperature, and metallic polishes that you finish by holding a magnet over it. My favorite polishes come from OPI or Live Love Polish.
- favorite comfort food: Mac and cheese! Hands down!
- last time you rode a train (not subway): When I graduated from college, I decided to celebrate by seeing as much of the country as I could on the cheap. I bought a round-trip train ticket to the West Coast and back. My friend and I travelled along the Canadian border out to Seattle, spent a few days with her family there, then went down the West Coast to California. From there we rode across the West back to the East Coast. It was a unique experience. We met all kinds of people and I got to see a snapshot of each state as we travelled through it.
- favorite holiday song: A toss-up between “White Christmas” or “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Redclaw Origins: The year is 1955. Rebel without a Cause and The Seven Year Itch are playing in the movie theaters. The Chevy Bel Air is the most popular car in America. Gas is 25 cents a gallon and you can get a hotel room for $4 bucks. This flirty, fun series takes us back to the beginning and shows us how Redclaw Security got started.
Bishop’s Gambit (Redclaw Origins Book 2)
Genre: Paranormal Romance/suspense
Rating: PG-13
Newly-minted secret agent Rhett Bishop would rather face down a horde of angry wolf shifters or her father’s former mob contacts than accept her current assignment: pose undercover as a suburban housewife, complete with a husband, slippers, and pipe.
But after the debacle of her previous mission, Rhett has a lot to prove.
To redeem herself in the eyes of Redclaw Security, and to carry out her mission without distractions, she must table her budding relationship with Peter Knight while the two of them uncover the secrets of Forest Grove.
Armed with her trusty ray gun, her unique little dog, and Knight’s brains, Rhett is confident she can handle whatever the suburbs can throw at her.
Until they lob a curveball.
Buy links:
Available from Amazon and these other retailers.
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